Putin lashes out at US, West for destabilizing world

Vladimir Putin lashed out at the United States and the West for destabilizing the world order of checks and balances for its own gains. He also accused the West of inflaming the situation in Ukraine and said Russia is not interested in building an empire.

The Russian President delivered a fierce broadside aimed at the
United States in a speech for the Valdai Club in Sochi, which is
an informal group of scholars. He hit out at Washington for
behaving without regard to the rest of the world's interests

“The system of international relations needed some changes,
but the USA, who believe they were the winners of the Cold War,
have not seen the need for this.” He added that the US has
been trying to create the world “for their own gains."
The Russian President added that because of this, regional and
global security had been weakened.

During his speech, Putin used the Russian version of the Latin
phrase, “Quod licet Iovi, non licet bovi” (what is
allowed for god, is not allowed for cattle,) alluding to the
double standards used by Washington.

US sponsoring Islamic extremism

Putin also touched on the issue of the growth of Islamic State in
Syria and Iraq, and also accused the West of, "turning a
blind eye," to the encroachment of international terrorism
into Russia and Central Asia. Putin believes the US has played a considerable role in sponsoring the
growth of Islamic extremism, using the example of Washington's
funding of the Mujahidin in the Afghan-Soviet war in the 1980's,
which eventually gave birth to the Taliban and Al-Qaeda.

“It never ceases to amaze me how our partners have been
guilty of making the same mistakes time and again. They have in
the past sponsored Islamic extremists who were battling against
the Soviet Union, which took place in Afghanistan. It was because
of this the Taliban and Al-Qaeda was created,” the president
added.

Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS) is the latest terrorist
organization, which is destabilizing the world and Putin was
scathing of countries that have been helping to fund the Islamist
militants by buying cut price oil they are selling.

“Terrorists have been selling oil at really low prices and
those countries who have been buying it and then selling it on,
are financing terrorism, which will eventually come back to bite
them,” the Russian President said.

Putin all for Nuclear cuts

Relations between Russia and the US have been plummeting for
months; however Vladimir Putin accused the US of using the EU to
further its own gains against Russia. He hit out at the numerous
sanctions that have been imposed on Moscow,
saying, "This was a mistake, which has a knock-on effect on
everyone."

“The USA, which has implemented sanctions against Russia, is
sawing at the branches, upon which they are sitting,”
President Putin added.

The reduction of nuclear arsenals was another issue, which was
high on the agenda for the Russian President and once again, he
was not afraid of having a dig at Washington for their reluctance
to cut the number of nuclear missiles. He mentioned that
unfortunately many countries see the only way to preserve their
sovereignty is, "To make a nuclear bomb."

The reduction in nuclear arsenals was initially proposed by the
Obama administration and Putin admitted it
had potential, before talks about decreasing weapons stockpiles
collapsed.

"Russia has been all for the continuation of talks about the
reduction of nuclear arsenals," and according to President
Putin, "Moscow is ready for serious talks, but without
“double standards."

Genie out of the bottle

Perhaps Putin's harshest criticism was reserved for the West's
creation of color revolutions and "controlled
chaos," which he a likened to "letting the genie out of
the bottle," with particular reference to Ukraine.

"We have been trying to discuss the Ukraine issue with the EU
for a long time, but we were told this was none of our business.
They then put two countries against each other, which has led to
countless destruction of infrastructure. When I asked why did
they do this, they just shrug their shoulders and don’t have an
answer," Putin added.

President Putin made reference to the ‘Bear’ defending its
territory to take a swipe at the US for its continued
encroachment towards Russia’s territory. “He is considered
the owner of the Taiga, but he, I know for a fact, does not want
to go to a different climatic zone, as it is uncomfortable for
him there. However, he will not give it to anyone else; I think
that this should be clear,” he said.

The Russian President said that there is no truth whatsoever in
claims from the West that Russia is interested in empire building
and that Moscow is looking to destabilize the world order. With
relations between Russia and the West at a very low ebb, Putin
also hinted Russia will look to develop allies further afield.

"Russia has made its choice – we want to develop our economy
and develop democratic values. We work with our counterparts in
the Shanghai Cooperation, the BRICS union for example. We want our opinions to be
respected likewise. We all need to be cautious to not make hasty
and dangerous steps. Some of the players on the global front have
forgotten about the need for this," he said in another barb
directed at Washington.